North Korea to hold sea border live-fire drill: Seoul

SEOUL: North Korea announced a live-fire drill near its maritime border with South Korea on Tuesday, prompting Seoul to vow a "strong" response after a similar exercise a month ago triggered an artillery exchange. "Our military is fully prepared," defence ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said after Pyongyang notified Seoul of its proposed drill. "If any shell lands on our side of the border, South Korea will respond strongly," Kim told reporters. South Korean fishing vessels were told to stay away from the area and local officials on the border islands of Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong said residents were advised to take precautions. "Loudspeakers are relaying the message for residents to prepare to enter shelters whenever necessary," a local official on Baengnyeong told AFP. North Korea carried out a similar drill on March 31 during which a number of shells dropped into South ...